Several religious groups, including the New Jersey Catholic Conference, asked the governor to veto the bill.

Roman Catholic officials called the measure an incentive for abortion. The Rev. Charles Rawlings of the New Jersey Council of Churches, said it "substitutes punitive measures for social programs."

The welfare reform package also requires recipients to enroll in education or job-training programs or seek employment.

Former Assembly majority leader Wayne Bryant, who sponsored the Family Development Act, said that welfare has contributed to family breakdown. His aim in sponsoring the act was to provide an incentive for welfare recipients to get jobs.

"This legislation is guided by compassion and crafted in common sense," Florio said.